Happy Tuesday! In this episode of the Rough Edges podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Justin Raghoo a dedicated professional in the sales and finance sector and an active servant in ministry. We went deep into the important topic of men's mental health, exploring the stigma surrounding men expressing their emotions and seeking help.

Justin shared his powerful faith journey, highlighting how his upbringing in a challenging environment shaped his relationship with God. He emphasized the importance of worship and community in his life, as well as his passion for reaching those who may feel disconnected from traditional church settings.

We discussed the barriers men face when it comes to mental health, including the lack of male therapists and the cultural competence needed in mental health care. Justin pointed out that many men feel uncomfortable seeking help due to societal expectations and the fear of being judged.

He also shared his personal experiences with therapy illustrating the importance of finding the right fit and being honest about one's struggles. This episode serves as a reminder that mental health and faith can coexist, and that seeking professional help is part of healing. I hope our discussion inspires listeners to break the stigma and foster open conversations about mental health in their own communities.

In this episode we cover:

● How Justin’s challenging upbringing influenced his relationship with God and shaped his faith

● Creating safe spaces for men discussing their struggles and seeking support

● The role of worship and community in emphasizing the importance of spiritual practices and connection in maintaining mental wellness

● We also discussed issues like the lack of male therapists and cultural competence in mental health support

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Justin on Instagram and find out more of his work ⁠HERE⁠!

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

Growing up, Brandon Russ often felt emotions deeply yet found himself navigating a world that questioned his vulnerability. His journey took a significant turn after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017, a revelation that led him to embrace his emotional depth and channel it into advocacy.

Through our conversation Brandon shares moments from his life illustrating how faith, creativity, and serving others have become his anchors in managing mental health challenges.

Our discussion also takes a critical look at the societal norms surrounding masculinity, especially the stigmas that discourage men from expressing emotions or seeking mental health support.

Brandon bravely shares his experiences of criticism and conformity to hyper-masculine ideals and how he's found liberation in spaces that welcome emotional openness. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of authenticity.

In this episode, Brandon and I aspire to inspire others to pursue their own paths for healing and growth.

In this episode we cover:

● Brandon’s journey with bipolar disorder and emotional vulnerability

● Challenges of masculinity norms and emotional suppression in men

● The role of faith, creativity, and service in managing mental health

● Unique cultural pressures faced by Black men regarding mental health

● The importance of advocacy, open conversations, and redefining strength

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Brandon on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠shop⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

Still growing up in the Black church, Donal faced the formidable challenge of reconciling faith with mental health struggles. This episode of the Rough Edges podcast invites you into his heartfelt journey through the emotional landscapes shaped by post-traumatic slavery syndrome.

We find out how historical and cultural factors have influenced the suppression of grief and lament in the Black community, and also learn how Donal found strength in grieving openly much like the biblical figures he admires.

Our discussion shines a light on the need for a compassionate and informed approach to mental health within faith communities highlighting the potential for healing when we acknowledge our shared history.

Listen to this episode and explore how we can build a supportive environment that embraces both mental health and faith.

Let me know what you thought of this episode! Email me at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram at @rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode we cover:

● Reconciling faith with mental health struggles in the Black church

● Suppression of grief and lament in the Black community

● The role of the church in emotional processing and communal support

● How Donal uses activism and music to create supportive mental health spaces

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Donal ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ to learn more about his journey and music

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠shop⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com